Of course it was only a matter of time before we started hearing conspiracy talk regarding the potential public health threat posed by the worldwide outbreak of avian flu.

Recently, as I comb my way through the rantings from the fringes on the Left, I have been reading and hearing more and more that the threat posed by the avian flu is simply something that has been cooked up to benefit the drug companies.

This letter to the editor, published in the Austin American-Statesman, illustrates my point:

Flu talk a sick ploy?

Am I the only one who questions the sincerity of the flu pandemic discussions heard everywhere? Who will be the main beneficiary? The drug companies.

What a nice diversion to take our attention away from Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation of the Valerie Plame affair, the Hurricane Katrina debacle, Tom DeLay — the list goes on.

Anyone remember the anthrax scare? Rule by fear is the rule of thumb for this administration.

What's more remarkable, that people hold these conspiracy theories, or that papers like the Statesman lend credence to such theories by publishing them?

Update: Perhaps mainstream papers like the Statesman should publish the thoughts of people like this.